Bristol actress Maisie Williams told how she left home and moved to London for work - and then found her next acting role was back in Bristol.

The actress joined Aardman director Nick Park to invite patients from Bristol’s Children’s Hospital to the premiere of that film - Aardman’s big 2018 release Early Man, this afternoon (Sunday, January 21).

The Game of Thrones star, who was born in the city, chatted with children and their parents at a special screening at the Cinema de Lux in Cabot Circus.

In the caveman epic, she plays Goona, the lead female character in the stop-motion animated prehistoric movie, where two tribes – one in the Stone Age and another in the Bronze Age – are in a conflict settled by a football match.

Maisie Williams and Aardman director Nick Park at the premiere in Bristol of Early Man, Aardman Animations 2018 film

Early Man tells the story of a courageous caveman hero Dug, voiced by Eddie Redmayne, and his best friend Hognob - voiced by Nick Park himself - as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth, voiced by Tom Hiddleston, and his Bronze Age City to save their home.

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The premiere event at Cabot Circus is the latest connection between Aardman and The Grand Appeal, the charity for the children's hospital which has raised more than £50 million in the past 23 years to support sick children and their families.

Maisie Williams and Nick Park meet Leah Dunn, Calum Morris and Edie Layfield at the premiere in Bristol of Early Man, Aardman Animations 2018 film

The charity is Aardman’s official partner, and the link-up has sparked the phenomenon of the sculpture trails that have proved so popular in Bristol in recent years.

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“Money raised has helped, and is helping, patients and their families in the hospital to have access to the best medical care, pioneering equipment, expert doctors and nurses, family accommodation and patient activities,” said a spokeswoman from The Grand Appeal.

Maisie Williams and Nick Park meet Leah Dunn, Calum Morris and Edie Layfield at the premiere in Bristol of Early Man, Aardman Animations 2018 film

Calum is no stranger to being on film himself, having starred in a major video diary series put together by the British Heart Foundation tracing his story as he prepares for a series of heart operations.

Before the film, Maisie, from Clutton, near Bristol, said it was 'wonderful' to have a big premiere in Bristol.

Maisie Williams and Nick Park meet Leah Dunn, Calum Morris and Edie Layfield at the premiere in Bristol of Early Man, Aardman Animations 2018 film

"It's so nice to come back, all of my friends and family are here," said the 20-year-old.

"About a month before I started recording, I moved to London because I was always working there and then I got my first job here.

"It's really nice to share this world with all my friends and family that I love, because I don't get to normally," she added.